The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-11-19
An Episode

arrest of an innocent Canadian gentleman
and his wife, as parties principal to an elope
ment which occurred on last Tuesday eve
ming, though they have been married nearly
seven years; an astonished squad of police
men staring at fierce English navy revolve,
with terrible front opening in it, pointed
directly at them by a wild.eyed stranger
whom they had awakened from his first
sleep to arrest for the violation of to him un
known laws, for an offense he knew nothing
of an explanation and torrents of apologies,
Including beers for sixteen; genuine arti,
Gle of Gretna.G Green elopement of farmers
sixteen year old daughter with nice young
man an enraged father, who, when he had
cooled down, thought better of it, and not
only "set 'em up" for the boys next day, but
also sent the runaways telegram of forgive.
ness,-all these things happened on Tuesday
evening and Wednesday morning of this
week, in this city. The facts are:
Mr.. John Delbridge, jr., living near the
Buell. farm, west of Ottawa, is the father of
a handsome Is or l6 year old daughter,
named Nancy, young woman developed be-
yond her years and very pretty. A young
gentleman, who bears an excellent reputa-
ton. who worked for Mr.. Delbridge several
months, son of John Boyle, whilom a
neighbor Of Delbrilge, now Of Chicago, be-
came smitten with the charms Of the fair
"Nan;" and she, ditto, with Jim.
Though the parents had observed the con-
dition of "goneness between the two
"kids,' they did not dream of an elopement
and supposed when the young lady had aged
year or so the young man would ask for
her hand in the regulation way. But he
couldn't wait, and she seconded the motion
SO they skipped by the light of the Otta-
wa Gas Co.'s apology for moon.
Mr.. D. was justly wrathy-some. In re-
Spouse to question, "why didn't Boyle ask
for the girl ?" he replied, "Well, suppose
he hadn't cheek enough-he was afraid"
On Tuesday afternoon, late, the young
couple disappeared and the excited father
of the undutiful girl pursued them in hot
haste to Ottawa. He heard nothing of them
about town, and put the police on track.
Late in the evening it was reported that
strange couple had taken rooms at the Mar
quette House, and the police and some 9th
era headed by the irate Delbridge, made a
raid upon the said hostelry, with astounding
results, as will be seen in the sequel.
Mr.. John Martin, native born "Canuck,'
of Carlton, British Columbia. q region of
country over three thousand miles away
from here; the land of brown bears, elk,
moose, beavers; with winter till June, and
another commencing in August; coun-
try in some parts of which the "sun never
sets, MIR. Martin, tired of ice, snow
and billiards., having selected Ottawa as
more cheerful place for his future home,
with his lars and penates arrived here on
Tuesday evening and put up at the Marquette
House. He was accompanied by his wife,
whom he married in the regulation manner
nearly seven years ago. He is marble cut
ter, and intends to open q shop in this city.
They had but retired to their welcome couch,
when they were aroused by violent knocking
at their bedroom door and orders to "Get
up and dress, as you are wanted by the
police!"
Here was cheerful prospect for stranger
in new country but he was fully equal to
the emergency. Opening his chamber door,
he presented to the gaze of the energetic
policeman an English navy revolver, OF how
itzer size, and wanted TO know the wherefore
Of the racket. The officer was naturally in
clined TO explain, under the circumstances
but when Mr.. Delbridge caught sight Of the
supposed abductor of his daughter, he yelled
in establishment, "Good God, this isn't the
the man ~
And he wasn't either. The explanations,
stimulated by the aspect of the Ominous
navy, were hasty and profuse; and it is said
the amber nectar Of Gambrinus gave favor